Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary has ruled out using Elon Musk’s Starlink internet service on his fleet of 600+ jets, sparking a public feud with the billionaire. Musk called O’Leary an “utter idiot” on social media, while O’Leary dismissed the insults and questioned Starlink’s feasibility for aviation.
Immediate Action & Core Facts
1. Ryanair rejects Starlink: O’Leary stated that installing Starlink would cost Ryanair up to $250 million annually, including extra fuel expenses. He argued that Musk’s claim—Starlink antennas wouldn’t create drag—was “a stupid idiotic thing to say.”
2. Musk’s response: Musk called O’Leary an “utter idiot” on X (formerly Twitter) and suggested he could buy Ryanair and replace O’Leary. A poll on X showed 75% of respondents supported the idea. O’Leary countered that EU rules prevent foreign takeovers of European airlines.
Deeper Dive & Context
Ryanair’s stance on Starlink
O’Leary said Ryanair would welcome investment from Musk but emphasized that a takeover is impossible under EU ownership rules. He also mocked Musk’s social media platform, calling it “a cesspit,” though he acknowledged its marketing value. The feud has reportedly boosted Ryanair bookings.
Musk’s takeover proposal
Musk joked about replacing O’Leary with “someone whose actual name is Ryan” and ran a poll on X, where 75% of respondents supported the idea. O’Leary dismissed the threat, stating that EU regulations bar foreign control of European airlines.
Public reaction and marketing
Ryanair launched a “Great Idiots” seat sale, offering 100,000 seats for €16.99, encouraging customers to book before Musk could. O’Leary joked that insults from Musk could help Ryanair sales, saying, “You could insult me all day, every day.”
Broader implications
The feud highlights tensions between tech and aviation industries over satellite internet adoption. While Musk promotes Starlink for global connectivity, O’Leary’s rejection underscores concerns about cost and operational feasibility in aviation.